|
|
Books > Fiction > Genre fiction > War fiction > Second World War fiction
'This book's power lies in its depiction of civilians trying to
lead ordinary lives during the horror of war . . . It is shattering
stuff, but Rothmann is tender towards his characters and this book
is as memorable as his last.' The Times, 'Historical Fiction Book
of the Month' As the Second World War enters its final stages,
millions in Germany are forced from their homes by bombing,
compelled to seek shelter in the countryside where there are barely
the resources to feed them. Twelve-year-old Luisa, her mother, and
her older sister Billie have escaped the devastation of the city
for the relative safety of a dairy farm. But even here the power
struggles of the war play out: the family depend on the goodwill of
Luisa's brother-in-law, an SS officer, who in expectation of
payment turns his attention away from his wife and towards Billie.
Luisa immerses herself in books, but even she notices the Allied
bombers flying east above them, the gauntness of the prisoners at
the camp nearby, the disappearance of fresh-faced boys from the
milk shed - hastily shipped off to a war that's already lost.
Living on the farm teaches Luisa about life and death, but it's
man's capacity for violence that provides the ultimate lesson, that
robs her of her innocent ignorance. When, at a birthday
celebration, her worst fears are realized, Luisa collapses under
the weight of the inexplicable. Ralf Rothmann's previous novel, To
Die in Spring, described the horror of war and the damage done on
the battlefield. The God of that Summer tells the devastating story
of civilians caught up in the chaos of defeat, of events that might
lead a twelve-year-old child to justifiably say: 'I have
experienced everything.'
'If you enjoyed The Tattooist of Auschwitz, read The Huntress by
Kate Quinn' The Washington Post 'Fascinating, brilliantly written,
enthralling - just phenomenal' Jill Mansell *From the bestselling
author of The Alice Network* On the icy edge of Soviet Russia, bold
and reckless Nina Markova joins the infamous Night Witches - an
all-female bomber regiment. But when she is downed behind enemy
lines, Nina must use all her wits to survive her encounter with a
lethal Nazi murderess known as the Huntress. British war
correspondent Ian Graham abandons journalism to become a Nazi
hunter, yet one target eludes him: the Huntress. And Nina Markova
is the only witness to escape her alive. In post-war Boston,
seventeen-year-old Jordan McBride is increasingly disquieted by the
soft-spoken German widow who becomes her new stepmother. Delving
into her past, Jordan slowly realizes that a Nazi killer may be
hiding in plain sight. Shining a light on a shadowy corner of
history, The Huntress is an epic, sweeping Second World War novel
from the New York Times bestselling author of The Alice Network.
Some battles will be fought on the Homefront...The war has had a
devastating effect on the Sweet Family with young Charlie Sweet,
lost at sea, presumed dead and bombs falling on nearby Bristol.
Still there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon in the form of Mary
Sweet's upcoming wedding to her Canadian beau. But even that has
failed to rouse their father from his grief. But in London a baby
has been found in a bombed out house, sheltered in the arms of his
dead mother. A child to make life worth living again... Discover
the gripping, heartfelt second instalment in Lizzie Lane's
bestselling Sweet Sisters trilogy. Praise for Lizzie Lane: 'A
gripping saga and a storyline that will keep you hooked' Rosie
Goodwin 'The Tobacco Girls is another heartwarming tale of love and
friendship and a must-read for all saga fans.' Jean Fullerton
'Lizzie Lane opens the door to a past of factory girls, redolent
with life-affirming friendship, drama, and choices that are as
relevant today as they were then.' Catrin Collier 'If you want an
exciting, authentic historical saga then look no further than
Lizzie Lane.' Fenella J Miller
Papa whispered to Chana, 'If we get separated, if something happens to me, look after Mama and Aron. And one last thing-' He smoothed an affectionate hand over her hair. 'Remember everything I've taught you, and all your gifts. Promise me this.' 1946. Having survived a concentration camp, Chana Rosenzweig arrives in Vienna seeking not only protection for her and her family, but also the freedom to be a baker, just as her father had once been. Torn between a black-market dealer who offers escape to Europe, and an apprentice baker who shares her dreams, Chana battles to stay true to herself and the promise she made her father to live against all odds... 2018. When Zoe Rosenzweig's beloved grandfather dies, Zoe travels to Vienna to speak to an elusive man who may be the only person who can help her unearth the hidden story of her grandparents. Haunted by what she does not know, Zoe risks her journalism career and her home to find the truth. Inspired by the extraordinary experiences of the author's mother and her family during and after the Holocaust, The Lost Baker of Vienna is a testament to the courage and defiance of women in a world torn apart. 'Truly special, a tale of grit, bravery, and humanity that will not soon be forgotten' KATE QUINN 'Family love and sacrifice drive this heart-wrenching story of the struggle to survive after the Holocaust' DIANE CHAMBERLAIN 'By turns mysterious, tender, suspenseful and moving.. I was captivated from the first page... A powerful must-read' THERESE ANNE FOWLER 'A story of love, family, survival and second chances...moving and unforgettable' PAM JENOFF
If you were moved by The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
or The Librarian of Auschwitz by Antonio Iturbe, this book is for
you. A searing page-turner of hope, family secrets and a love to
defy all odds from bestselling Kelly Rimmer, inspired by the
author's family history. 'Fans of The Nightingale and Lilac Girls
will adore The Things We Cannot Say' Pam Jenoff 'Simply amazing
book, so moving I couldn't put it down. A book that will remain in
my heart for many years to come *****' A reader 'Captivating. I am
in awe of this story *****' A reader 'I have never ever been so
deeply moved by a book...the most amazing love story of hope and
survival during the Nazi occupation of Poland... i just didn't want
it to end *****' A reader It begins with the discovery of a
tattered photo, a letter and a tiny leather shoe... World War Two,
Poland. Alina and Tomasz are childhood sweethearts. The night
before he leaves for college, Tomasz proposes marriage. But when
their village falls to the Nazis, Alina doesn't know if Tomasz is
alive or dead. 2019. Life changed beyond recognition for Alice when
her son, Eddie, was born with autism spectrum disorder. She must do
everything to support him, but at what cost to her family? When her
cherished grandmother is hospitalised, a hidden box of mementoes
reveals a tattered photo of a young man, a tiny leather shoe and a
letter. Her grandmother begs Alice to return to Poland to see what
became of those she held dearest. In Poland, separated from her
family, Alice begins to uncover the story her grandmother is so
desperate to tell, and discovers a love that bloomed in the winter
of 1942. As a painful family history comes to light, will the
struggles of the past and present finally reach a heartbreaking
resolution? 'Alina and Tomasz's story is one of bravery,
resilience, and the lengths we will go to for the ones we love'
Sally Hepworth More praise for the heart-tugging novels of Kelly
Rimmer 'Kelly Rimmer serves up a heart-pounding dilemma for fans of
Jodi Picoult' Marie Claire 'A heartbreaking story... Her characters
are captivating' Daily Telegraph 'Kelly Rimmer tears at the
heartstrings' Herald Sun
Death still comes to Everyman, but this study of three
twentieth-century German plays shows the harder challenge of living
without salvation in an age of war and unprecedented mass
destruction. Death comes to everyone, and in the late-medieval
morality play of Everyman the familiar skeleton forces the
universalized central figure to come to terms with this. Only his
inner resources, in the forms of Good Deeds and Knowledge, ensure
that he repents and is redeemed. Three important twentieth-century
German plays echo Everyman - Toller's Hinkemann, Borchert's The Man
Outside, and Frisch's The Arsonists/Firebugs - but the
unprecedented scale of killing in the First and Second World Wars
changed the view of death, while in the Cold War the nuclear
destruction literally of everyone became a possibility. Brian
Murdoch traces the heritage of Everyman in the three plays in terms
of dramatic effect, changes in the image of Death, and especially
the problem of living with existential guilt. Death, now over-fed,
still has to be faced, but Everyman has the harder problem of
living with the awareness of human wickedness without the
possibility of salvation. All three plays have tended to be viewed
in their specific historical contexts, but by viewing them less
rigidly and as part of a long dramatic tradition, Murdoch shows
that all present a message of lasting and universal significance.
They pose directly to the theater audience questions not just of
how to cope with death, but how to cope with life.
Bristol - 1945 The war has ended; the men are returning home to
their loved ones, but for some things have changed. Charlotte
Hennessey-White's husband, David is no longer the gentle loving man
he once was and Charlotte, so independent during the war, is
devastated. Edna Burbage's strong fiancee, Colin has suffered
appalling physical injuries. He won't hold her to her promise of
marriage, but she insists her feelings are unchanged. But is that
true? Is she marrying him out of love or pity? And Polly Chandler's
sweetheart, Gavin who'd she'd planned her whole future around,
hasn't come home at all. War and suffering have changed their men
leaving the women to cope on their own. But they too are changed.
They harbour secrets best kept that could do untold damage to these
already fragile lives. Praise for Lizzie Lane: 'A gripping saga and
a storyline that will keep you hooked' Rosie Goodwin 'The Tobacco
Girls is another heartwarming tale of love and friendship and a
must-read for all saga fans.' Jean Fullerton 'Lizzie Lane opens the
door to a past of factory girls, redolent with life-affirming
friendship, drama, and choices that are as relevant today as they
were then.' Catrin Collier 'If you want an exciting, authentic
historical saga then look no further than Lizzie Lane.' Fenella J
Miller
The Sweet family have run the local bakery for as long as anyone
can remember.Twins Ruby and Mary Sweet help their widowed father
out when they can. Mary loves baking and has no intention of
leaving their small Gloucestershire village. while Ruby dreams of
life in London. But as war threatens, there will be changes for all
of the Sweet family, with brother Charlie off to serve and cousin
Frances facing evacuation. But there will be opportunities, too, as
the twins' baking talent catches the attention of the Ministry of
Food.... The gripping first instalment in Lizzie Lane's bestselling
heartfelt, gripping Sweet Sisters trilogy. Praise for Lizzie Lane:
'A gripping saga and a storyline that will keep you hooked' Rosie
Goodwin 'The Tobacco Girls is another heartwarming tale of love and
friendship and a must-read for all saga fans.' Jean Fullerton
'Lizzie Lane opens the door to a past of factory girls, redolent
with life-affirming friendship, drama, and choices that are as
relevant today as they were then.' Catrin Collier 'If you want an
exciting, authentic historical saga then look no further than
Lizzie Lane.' Fenella J Miller
|
|